Su Li felt a pang in her heart. She possessed dical skills, and initially, she had only thought of keeping those around her safe. Yet, this Doctor Changchun, embodying true benevolent dical ethics, had trespassed on the interests of rchants and was now facing closure.
"Doctor Changchun, have you ever considered dealing in high-end dicinal herbs for the wealthy or the influential?"
Doctor Changchun looked at her, puzzled, "Princess, what do you an by that?"
Su Li replied, "The reason you are in a passive position is that your clientele is mostly common folk, who lack power. You can only endure being excluded. However, if your patients were influential figures, those people would have to think twice."
Doctor Changchun said, "The truly influential have Imperial Physicians to treat them. Why would they need ?"
Su Li shook her head, "Elder, your words are not entirely correct. Your dical skills might not be inferior to those of Imperial Physicians. I have a thod that can help Doctor Changchun avoid comrcial disputes, continue to practice dicine for the benefit of the world, and also earn a substantial amount of silver to subsidize those who genuinely cannot afford dicine."
"Please enlighten , Princess!"
Su Li smiled, "I wouldn’t dare enlighten you; I rely wish to borrow so paper and a brush."
Doctor Changchun imdiately had soone fetch paper and a brush. Su Li rose, picked up the brush, and quickly wrote on the paper.
"Doctor Changchun, please take a look at these few prescriptions." Su Li handed the finished prescriptions to Doctor Changchun.
Doctor Changchun took them and looked, then turned a puzzled gaze to Su Li: "These are?"
Su Li explained, "Minister Lin’s wife, from the Ministry of Justice, has suffered from a cough for many years with no cure. The first prescription is for her cough."
"Marquis Zhongyong suffers from chronic headaches, and even Imperial Physicians are at a loss. The second prescription is to treat his old ailnt."
"The Left Pri Minister’s youngest daughter has a weak and often numb left hand. The third prescription is for her, and I’ve also written down the subsequent treatnt thods."
"The last prescription is for strengthening the body and maintaining health; it can be used even without illness."
Doctor Changchun’s eyes widened in astonishnt. These few flimsy prescriptions in his hand were worth a thousand gold! If he truly followed them, he would gain not only wealth but also power and renown!
Doctor Changchun placed the prescriptions on the table, saying, "I cannot accept these!"
Su Li looked at him in confusion, "Why? If you cure these individuals, there will be no obstacles for you to continue practicing dicine in the Capital."
Doctor Changchun refused, "But these are not mine; I cannot take them."
Su Li sighed. Very well, he had his convictions. Seeing him single-handedly sustaining this vast pharmacy, one could tell his unwavering resolve. Su Li rose and said, "Since you insist, I won’t press you further. Doctor Changchun, please take the Lari dicine prescription. I still have other things to buy, so I will take my leave now."
Su Li stood up, about to leave.
"Princess."
Su Li turned back, asking in confusion, "Doctor Changchun, is there anything else?"
"Princess, would you be willing to take over this pharmacy?" Doctor Changchun asked, as if having made a montous decision.
"What?"
Doctor Changchun looked at Su Li, his eyes burning with hope. "This old man believes the Princess’s dical skills far surpass mine. If this pharmacy were in your hands, it would surely flourish, and with your status as a Princess, you would not fear the rchant Guild."
Su Li looked at him in surprise, saying, "What virtue or ability do I possess? This Apricot Grove Hall is your life’s work, how could I possibly..."
Doctor Changchun interrupted her, "If the Princess does not accept, this pharmacy might have to close its doors in a few days!"
"Besides, this old man has no children and no one to take over the pharmacy."
Seeing Su Li frowning, as if deep in thought, Doctor Changchun took two steps forward, about to kneel. Su Li quickly went forward to support him, "What are you doing!"
Doctor Changchun said in a deep voice, "I beg the Princess to agree! I know a person of your noble status is busy with important matters, but if you agree, you would only need to co a few tis a month. As the owner, I could then legitimately use these prescriptions."
Su Li said, "Are you trying to use my na to fend off the rchant Guild?"
Doctor Changchun nodded in acknowledgent, "Yes! But the Princess will certainly not lose out. This pharmacy, from now on, will bear the Su na, as long as you allow to continue treating the common people at Apricot Grove Hall."
Su Li saw that he was doing all this purely for the sake of the common people. "Alright, I agree. You can publicly announce that I am the behind-the-scenes owner."
"Thank you, Owner!"
Doctor Changchun imdiately changed his address.
Siqin and the other maids were stunned. The Princess went out for an errand and unexpectedly gained a dical hall for free!
Su Li left the pharmacy, and the butler then led the group to buy various New Year goods. The last item they bought was "Baishiji."
In previous years, Baishiji was represented by a knot made of silk fabric embroidered with cypress branches, persimmons, and mandarin oranges. On New Year’s Eve, the whole family would untie this knot together and then hang it on the roof beam, to symbolize the auspicious aning of "all things auspicious" (Baishiji, a homophone for "cypress, persimmon, and mandarin orange" – bai shi ju).
This year, due to the freezing cold, the fruits were less likely to spoil, so they bought actual fruits. This was an indispensable New Year custom: placing persimmons, mandarin oranges, and cypress branches on the sa plate. First, the cypress branch is broken, then the persimmon and mandarin orange are broken open one by one. This is "cypress, persimmon, mandarin orange" (bai shi ju), symbolizing "all things auspicious" (bai shi ji).
In her previous life, Su Li didn’t believe in such things, but since her rebirth, she had co to believe in the existence of deities.
By the end, one carriage was completely packed. It was nearly noon when the group finally returned to the manor.
"I’m so tired. I never thought preparing for the festival would be so troubleso," Mohua said, kneading her legs.
Siqin carefully draped Su Li’s cloak, asking, "Are you tired, Miss? Shall I massage your legs?" She began to massage Su Li’s legs, while Mohua poured Su Li tea, and Zhishu conveniently entered with pastries.
Su Li ate a piece, rested for a while, then stood up, "It’s ti to have a al with Mother. Let’s go."
She would have to go out again in the afternoon. Now that she was the owner of Apricot Grove Hall, she couldn’t just bear the title without doing anything; she had to do so work.
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